"On medical advice we are not going to bring Gordon out on this flight and delay it by 48 hours," McNaughton said.

D'Arcy's injury was scanned and to reduce the risk of swelling on the flight, medical staff have advised that it is more prudent to allow the strain time to recover before he links up with the rest of the Ireland squad in Queenstown.

McNaughton also confirmed that the injury does not currently rule D'Arcy out of any games.

"Gordon is not ruled out of anything yet - it is a slight calf strain and we will re-examine it before he flies out."

McNaughton added: "Jamie Heaslip had a concussion but he is fine and ready to fly out. There is nothing else of concern to us at the moment."

The Ireland squad are set to arrive at their base in Queenstown on Thursday.